Process for the manufacture of carbureted water gas and like gases



March 1951 M. STEINSCHLAEGER 2544 1 PROCESS FOR THE: mnumcwuaz 0F cmum'mn WATER GAS AND LIKE GASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 3, 1944 March 6, 1951 M. STEINSCHLAEGER 2,544,188

PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBURETED WATER GAS AND LIKE GASES Filed April 3, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 6, 1951 M. STEINSCHLAEGER PROCESS FOR THE umumc'ruas 01-" cmumamo WATER GAS AND 1.1m: GASES 4 Shee ts-Sheet 3 Filed April 3, 1944' .11 6, 1951 M. STEINSCHLAEGER 2,544,188

PROCESS FOR THE mxumcm 0F CARBURETED WATER GAS AND LIKE GASES Filed April 3, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 6, 1951 PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CAR- BURETED WATER GAS AND LIKE GASES Michael Steinschlaeger, London, England Application April 3, 1944, Serial No. 529,387 In Great Britain April 29, 1943 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of carburetted water gas and like gases and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process for the manufacture of such gases.

With this object in view the present invention provides a process for the manufacture of carburetted water gas, oil gases, blau gas or similar gases, all of which are hereinafter referred to as carburetted water gas, wherein a regenerator is heated by means of a hot gas to a predetermined temperature. tar and/or oil and/or hydrocarbon gases and steam and/or carbon dioxide are introduced into the heated regenerator to produce water gas and oil and/or tar and/or hydrocarbon gases is introduced into the gases leaving the regenerator which gases are at a temperature and have a sensible heat at least sufficient to crack the oil and/or tar and/or hydrocarbon gases and thus produce carburetted water gas.

It should be understood that the expression "011 as used hereinafter includes hydrocarbon gases.

Preferably the heating of the regenerator is effected by burning tar or gas therein but if desired other liquid, solid or gaseous fuels may be used for this purpose. If steam is used in the manufacture of the water gas in the regenerator preferably excess steam is employed. The amount of excess steam used will depend upon the calorific value required in the gas to be produced. The tar and/or oil which is introduced into the regenerator may be pre-heated if desired and various kinds of oils or tars may be used such as crude oils, fuel oils, boiler oils, low or high temperature tars, pitch and water gas tar which can be obtained in the process. Furthermore the steam and/or carbon dioxide employed may be pre-heated.

Preferably two regenerators are employed in conjunction with each other, one regenerator being heated whilst the other regenerator is being used for gas making.

In addition to the production of carburetted water gas, the process also produces as a byproduct a certain amount of tar and this tar is precipitated from the gas produced, for example electrostatically. Preferably the sensible heat, and if desired at least a part of the potential heat, of the gases produced is used for steam generation or power generation, in gas turbines.

As indicated above the temperature of the gases leaving the regenerator must be sufficiently high to crack the oil and/or tar injected for carburetting the gas and this cracking can be accomplished in more than one stage at different temperatures, for example a part of the oil 5.. and/or tar may be introduced into the gases which are at a temperature of for example 1100 to 1200 C. whereby cracking is effected at a temperature of about 1000 C., and thereafter further 011 and/or tar may be introduced into the gas which is now at a temperature of 1000 C. so that cracking takes place at about 750 C.

It will be understood that a different grade of oil and/or tar or different kind of oil and/or tar may be used in the two stages of the crack- 15 ing referred to above, and the gases leaving the regenerator may be divided into a pluralit of streams. each being treated separately and afterwards, if desired, again mixed.

The tar obtained in the cracking process may 20 be partly or wholly re-cycied and in this way it is possible to produce valuable products such as toluene, benzene and other liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons which may be extracted from the gas before it is used. The manufactured gases 25 may be freed from undesirable compounds;

Preferably the tar or oil for burning will be sprayed into the regenerator and for this purpose a part of the energy in the gases produced can be used. or steam, carbon dioxide, or air or other gas or vapour may be used for this purpose.

The calorific value of the gas produced can be regulated by the temperature employed for water gas production in the regenerator; by the proportion of steam, carbon dioxide and the like used; by the cracking temperature chosen; and by the nature and amount of the oil or tar employed for the water gas production.

According to a modification of the invention, a process is provided for the manufacture of carburetted water gas, oil gases, blau gas or similar gases, wherein tar and/or oil and/or powdered coal, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and steam and/or carbon dioxide are introduced into a vessel in which a part of the tar or oil or'powdered coal is burnt, thus providing the heat necessary to produce water gas and oil and/or tar is introduced into the gases leaving the vessel, which gases are at a temperature and have a sensible heat at least sufficient to crack the oil and thus produce carburetted water gas.

The oxygen or oxygen-containing gases may be pre-heated if desired. The vessel employed in this modification may or may not contain checker bricks.

The process may be operated under pressure and catalysts may be employed in one or more stages of the process.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 to 7 show diagrammatically seven embodiments of apparatus for carrying into effect the processes of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 oi the drawings, a pair of regenerators I and is provided, each being used alternately. The regenerator I is provided with a burner 2 controlled by a valve 2a, a conduit 3 controlled by a valve 3a for the admission of oil and/or tar and a conduit 4 controlled by valve 4a for the admission of steam and/or carbon dioxide. The regenerator I is also provided with an outlet conduit 5 controlled by a valve 5a with an inlet conduit 6 having an atomiser or spray nozzle controlled by the valve Go for the admission of oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas formed. The regenerator I is provided with similar conduits and valves I. 8, 9, I and II and la, 8a, 9a, Ifla and Ila. The apparatus also comprises a manifold I2, additional conduit I3 with spray nozzle or atomiser controlled by valve |3a for admitting further oil and/or tar, heat exchanges I 4 and I5, conduits I and I! controlled by valves Ito and Na respectively, cooler and precipitator I8, conduits I9 and controlled respectively by valves i911 and 20a, compressor 2|, conduits 22, 23, and 24 controlled respectively by valves 22a, 23a and 24a, turbines 25 and 26, and conduits 21 and 28 controlled respectively by valves 21a and 2841.

In operation, regenerator I is heated by air and fuel admitted through the burner 2, and the regenerator I which has been heated in a similar manner in a previous operation is used for gas making. Oil and/or tar is admitted through line 8 and steam and/or carbon dioxide through line 9, the water gas formed leaving through the line l0. Oil and/or tar for carburetting the water gas is admitted through the spray producer or atomiser of the conduit II, the carburetted gas passing along the manifold I2. Further oil and/or tar is admitted through the spray producer or atomiser 01' the conduit I3 and the product passes through the heat exchanger l4, giving up part of its heat, and thence proceeds via the conduit I6 and heat exchanger I5, where it gives up more heat, and conduit I! to the cooler and precipitator I8, where tar is precipitated and removed via the conduit 20. The gas is passed via the conduit |9 to the compressor 2| from whence normally liquid hydrocarbons and normally gaseous hydrocarbons and other gases which are liquefied under the pressure prevailing are removed via the conduit 23. The compressed gas leaving the compressor 2| through the conduit 24 absorbs heat from the heat exchanger I5 and is used to drive the turbine 25. The exhaust gases leaving the turbine 25 via the conduit 21 absorb heat from the heat exchanger I4 and are used to drive the turbine 26. The exhaust gases leaving this turbine can be sent to the consumer at the required pressure, and/or used for heating a boiler and/or heat exchanger, and/or used in the plant.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawings, a pair of regenerators 28 and 29 is provided. each being used alternately. The regenerator 28 is provided with a conduit 30 for compressed air, a fuel conduit 3|, a conduit 32 for the admission of oil and/or tar and a conduit 33 for the admission of steam and/or carbon dioxide, controlled respectively by valves 30a. 3Ia. 32a and 33a. The regenerator 29 is provided with similar conduits 34, 35, 35 and 3! controlled respectively by valves 34a, 35a, 36a and 31a. The conduits 30 and 34 are fed from the compressor 38 which is supplied with air via conduit 39 controlled by valve 39a. The compressed air is conveyed to the conduits 30 and 34 by conduit 40 controlled by valve 40a, the conduit passing through a heat exchanger 4|. The conduits 39 and 3| and also the conduits 34 and 35 have outlets adjacent each other and constitute burners. In the description which follows it will be assumed that the regenerator 23 is being heated and the regenerator 29, which has been heated in the preceding cycle, is being used for gas making. Certain conduits and valves have been omitted from the drawing for the sake of clarity, as will be explained hereinafter. The apparatus is operated as follows:

The regenerator 28 is heated by burning fuel admitted through conduit 3| by means 0! air admitted through conduit 30 which is supplied from the compressor 38 by conduit 40. The hot products of combustion under pressure leave the regenerator 29 through conduit 42 controlled by valve 42a, and after passing through heat exchanger 43, pass through turbine 44, via conduit 45 controlled by valve 45a, through heat exchanger 4'6 to turbine 41 and thence via conduit 48, controlled by valve 48a, through heat exchanger 49. At the same time there is introduced into regenerator 29, which has been heated in a previous operation, oil and/or tar through conduit 36 and steam and/or carbon dioxide through conduit 31 to produce a fuel gas which leaves the regenerator 29 via conduit 50 controlled by valve 50a. The gas is carburetted by the injection of oil and/or tar through conduit 5| controlled by valve 5|a and provided with an atomiser or spray producer, further oil and/or tar being injected in a similar manner via conduit 52 controlled by valve 52a. The hot gas is then cooled by passage through the heat exchanger 4| and leaves via conduit 53 controlled by valve 53a, whence it can be delivered to the consumer with or without passing through a cooler or condensation plant for the removal of liquids or easily liquefied gases. Alternatively the whole or a part of the gase leaving the regenerator 29 may take the path shown in broken lines, namely, via the conduit 54 controlled by valve 54a through the heat exchanger 46, conduit 55 controlled by valve 55a, through heat exchanger 43 and thence by conduit 56 controlled by valve 55a to the consumer. It will be understood that in the succeeding cycle the functions of the regenerators 28 and 29 will be reversed and each-regenerator will be provided with the necessary'conduits and valves to enable it to be connected to the appropriate turbines, heat exchangers and the like, these additional connections being omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, this 11- lustrates an apparatus in which only one regenerator is employed.

According to this embodiment: a regenerator 51 is provided having a conduit 58 controlled by valve 58a for the admission of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas under pressure, a conduit 59 controlled by valve 59a for the admission of oil and/or tar, the conduits 5B and 59 having outlets adjacent each other to constitute a burner. The regenerator 51 is also provided with a conduit 60 controlled by valve 60a for the admission of steam and/or carbon dioxide. Oil and/or tar is burnt in the regenerator simultaneously with the admission of the steam and/or carbon dioxide and the gases produced leave the regenerator by the conduit 6| controlled by the valve 6Ia. Oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas is admitted through conduits 62 and 63 controlled respectively by valves 62a and 63a. The carburetted gases are then cooled in the heat exchanger 64 and proceed via the conduit 65, con trolled by valve 65a, to the heat exchanger 65 and thence via conduit 61 controlled by valve 61a to the cooler and precipitator 68, where liquid hydrocarbons or easily liquefied gases are precipitated and drawn oil through conduit 69 controlled by valv 69a. A part of the gas is also removed through conduit 10 controlled by valve 10a, from whence it is sent to the consumer at the desired pressure. Another part of the gas proceeds via the conduit 1I controlled by valve 1Ia through the heat exchanger 60 to the turbine 12 and thence via conduit 13 controlled by valve 13a through the heat exchanger 64 to the turbin 14, from whence the gases are sent to the consumer through the conduit 15 controlled by valve 15a, passing through the heat exchanger or cooler 10.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, this shows a modified form of the apparatus employed in Fig. 3, in which two regenerators are used alternally. According to this embodiment, air is supplied through conduit 11 controlled by valve 11a and compressed in the compressor 18 from whence it proceeds via conduit 19 controlled by valve 19a and is heated in the heat exchanger 80. It then proceeds through the turbine 8| and thence by the conduit 82 controlled by valve 82a to the heat exchanger 83 where it is again heated, and thence through turbine 84 and conduit 85 controlled by valve 85a to one or other of the regenerators 88 and 81. The regenerator '86 is provided with a conduit 88 controlled by valve 88a for the admission of the compressed air and conduit 89 controlled by the valve 89a for the admission of oil and/or tar, the outlets of the conduits 88 and 89 being adjacent each other to constitute a burner. The regenerator 86 is also provided with a conduit 90 controlled by valve 90a. for the introduction of steam and/or carbon dioxide. The regenerator 81 is provided with similar conduits 9!, 92 and 93 controlled respectively by valves 9Ia, 92a and 93a.

In the followng description it will be assumed that the regenerator 86 is being heated by the admission of air and oil and/or tar, whilst the regenerator 81 which has been heated in a previous cycle has admitted thereto oil and/or tar and steam and/or carbon dioxide. The gases produced leave the regenerator 81 by the conduit 94, controlled by valve 94a. oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas being admitted through conduit 95 controlled by valve 95a, which is provided with an atomiser or spray producer. Part of the gas is sent to the consumer via conduit 96 controlled by valve 95a, the remainder proceeding via conduit 91 controlled by valve 91a into which further oil and/or tar is injected by conduit 98 controlled by valve 98a, which is also provided with an atomiser or spray producer. After the gas has thus been further carburetted it is cooled in the heat exchanger 83 and proceeds via conduit 99 controlled by valve 99a through the heat exchanger 80, in which it is further cooler, and is then sent to the consumer via the conduit I 00 controlled by valve IOIla, with or without passing through the cooler or condenser. It will be understood that the regenerator 85 will likewise be provided with conduits and valves connecting it with conduit 91, and also with a conduit for the introduction of oil and/or tar into the gas produced, but these have been omitted from the drawings for the sak of clarity.

Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, air is admitted through conduit IIlI controlled by valve IOIa, into the compressor I02, in which it is compressed. The air leaves the compressor through conduit I03 controlled by valve I03a, passing through the heat exchanger I04 to the regenerator I05 into which tar and/or oil is admitted through conduit I06 controlled by valve IIIGa, the outlets of the conduits I03 and I06 being adjacent each other to form a burner. At the same time steam and/or carbon dioxide is admitted through conduit I01 controlled by valve W112 and the gas formed in the regenerator I05 leaves via conduit I08 controlled by valve I 08a, oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas being admitted through conduits I09 and H0 controlled respectively by valves I 09a and I la. The carburetted gas then passes through the heat exchanger and precipitator III in which it is cooled and thence via conduit II2 controlled by valve 20. to the turbine II3, from which it passes via the conduit II4 controlled by valve II4 a. again through the heat exchanger III, in which it is heated, to the turbine II5. Part of the gas leaving the turbine I I5 proceeds via conduit IIG controlled by valve IIIia through the heat exchanger II1 to the consumer. The remainder of the gas proceeds through the conduit I88 controlled by valve IIBa. through the heat exchanger I04, through conduit II9 controlled by valv Ilfla. to the consumer.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawings, oxygen is admitted to the regenerator I20 through conduit I2I controlled by valve I2Ia, and oil is admitted through conduit I22 controlled by valve I22a, the outlets of the conduits I2I and I22 being adjacent each other to form a burner. At the same time steam and/or carbon dioxide is admitted through conduit I 23 controlled by valve I23a and the gas produced leaves the regenerator through conduit I24 controlled by valve I24a, oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas being admitted through conduit I25 controlled by valve I25a, which conduit is provided with an atomiser or spray producer. Oil and/or tar 15 also admitted in a similar manner through conduit I26 controlled by valve I26a and the carburetted gas is then cooled in the heat exchanger I21 and proceeds via conduit I28 controlled by valve I28a to the turbine I 29, from whence it passes via conduit I30 controlled by valve I30a through the heat exchanger I21 to the turbine I3I. The gases leave the turbine I3I through conduit I32 controlled by valve I32a and are sent to the consumer at the required pressure and temperature with or without passing through a cooler or condenser.

Referring to Fig. 7 of the drawings, air or oxygen is admitted to the regenerator I33 through conduit I34 controlled by valve I34a, and oil and/or tar is admitted through conduit I35 controlled by valve I35a, the outlets of conduits I34 and I35 being adjacent each other to form a burner. At the same time steam and/or carbon dioxide is admitted through conduit I36 controlled by valve I36a, and the gas produced leaves the regenerator through conduit I31 controlled by valve I31a, oil and/or tar for carburetting the gas being admitted through conduits I38 and I39, controlled respectively by valves I380. and I8, each conduit being provided with an atomiser or spray producer. The carburetted gas is then cooled in the heat exchanger I40 and passes via conduit I4I controlled by valve I4Ia to the cooler I42, where it is further cooled and thence proceeds by conduit I43 controlled by valve I43a to the compressor I44, in which it is compressed. The liquid hydrocarbons and easily liquefied gases which condense in the compressor I44 are removed through conduit I45 controlled by valve H511, and part of the gas under pressure leaves the compressor by conduit I46 controlled by valve "Ga, and is sent to the consumer. The remainder of the gases leave the compressor I44 by conduit I41 controlled by valve I4'Ia and proceeds to the turbine I48 from whence it passes via conduit I49 controlled by valve I49a through the heat exchanger I40 to the turbine I50, the gas leaving the turbine then being sent to the consumer via conduit II controlled by valve I5Ia after passing through the heat exchanger I52 with or without passing through a further condenser. If desired the temperature of the gases in the conduit I" may beincreased by admitting air through the conduit I53 controlled by valve I53a so that a part of the gas is burnt. It will be understood that the proportion of air must not be such as will make an explosive mixture.

It will be understood that the oil, tar, steam, carbon dioxide, air or oxygen used may be so admitted to the various vessels that they atomise the oil and/or tar used for heating the regenerators, or some of the gas manufactured in the process may be used for this purpose.

Furthermore, the preclpitator used may be a electrostatic precipitator.

The term 011" as used in the appended claims refers to hydrocarbon oils, tars, and hydrocarbon gases or mixtures thereof.

I claim:

1. A process of making carburetted water gas with simultaneous cracking of heavier hydrocarbons to produce a fixed gas for the carburettion and a liquefiable fraction, which comprises introducing oil and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of steam and carbon dioxide into a regenerator heated to a temperature sufllcient to promote reaction of the oil hydrocarbons with the selected substance to form water gas and sufficient to insure that the resulting water gas product discharges therefrom at a temperature of at least 1100 C., leading the water gas from said regenerator and thereafter, while the gas is still heated to a temperature of at least 1100 C. and in the absence of checker brick contact material, introducing oil into said gas and causing cracking thereof solely by the sensible heat contained in said gas, and thereafter separating and recovering the liqueflable hydrocarbons resulting from the cracking treatment.

2. A process according to claim 1 in which the sensible heat remaining in the water gas at the conclusion of the carburetting and cracking stage is in large part recovered and returned to a succeeding stage of the gas-making process.

3. A process of making carburetted water gas with simultaneous cracking of hydrocarbons to produce a fixed gas for the carburettion, which comprises introducing hydrocarbons and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of steam and carbon dioxide into a regenerator heated to a temperature sufficient to promote reaction of the hydrocarbons with the selected substance to form water gas and sufllcient to ensure that the resulting water gas product discharges therefrom at a temperature of at least 1100 C., leading the water gas from said regenerator and thereafter, while the gas is still heated to a temperature of at least 1100 C., and in the absence of checker brick contact material, introducing hydrocarbons into said gas and causing cracking thereof solely by the sensible heat contained in said gas.

MICHAEL STEINSCHLAEGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Koppers et al Aug. 19, 1941 

1. A PROCESS OF MAKING CARBURETTED WATER GAS WITH SIMULTANEOUS CRACKING OF HEAVIER HYDROCARBONS TO PRODUCE A FIXED GAS FOR THE CARBURETTION AND A LIQUEFIABLE FRACTION, WHICH COMPRISES INTRODUCING OIL AND AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANCE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF STEAM AND CARBON DIOXIDE INTO A REGENERATOR HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO PROMOTE REACTION OF THE OIL HYDROCARBONS WITH THE SELECTED SUBSTANCE TO FORM WATER GAS AND SUFFICIENT TO INSURE THAT THE RESULTING WATER GAS PRODUCT DISCHARGES THEREFROM AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 1100* C., LEADING THE WATER GAS FROM SAID REGENERATOR AND THEREAFTER, WHILE THE GAS IS STILL HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 1100* C. AND IN THE ABSENCE OF CHECKER BRICK CONTACT MATERIAL, INTRODUCING OIL INTO SAID GAS AND CAUSING CRACKING THEREOF SOLELY BY THE SENSIBLE HEAT CONTAINED IN SAID GAS, AND THEREAFTER SEPARATING AND RECOVERING THE LIQUEFIABLE HYDROCARBONS RESULTING FROM THE CRACKING TREATMENT. 